Luis Suarez’s moments of disgrace as the villain of world football have driven him on to be a great for club and country, writes Simon Bird in Brazil.

Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez spoke yesterday about how his star striker has learned from his mistakes, redoubled his ­footballing efforts... and is well on the way to proving himself one of the best against England at the World Cup in June.

Then there was his ­infamous World Cup quarter-final handball save in South Africa, and trying to engineer a move away from Liverpool last summer . Tabarez has followed Suarez since his days as a fiery but hugely talented youngster in the Uruguay set up, and revealed he is not surprised he has had the tenacity to overcome his problems in England.

The veteran coach thinks ­Liverpool’s patience and loyalty to the 27-year-old could be England’s loss when the two nations meet in Brazil on June 19.

Suarez yesterday insisted he could achieve his dreams at Anfield, including Champions League football next season. He has 23 goals in 21 games despite missing the start of the season over the Ivanovic incident.

Tabarez said: “Suarez has always been a major part of Uruguay since he started in the under-20s.

“He made the ­breakthrough in 2007 into the senior squad. He’s developed and evolved a lot obviously in the time since – ­especially in his attitude and his competitive spirit as well as his skills.

“I put that down to what’s happened to him in England. Maybe it’s partly, or mainly down to all the problems he has had. He’s come through ­difficult times. He’s kept going when it was difficult. He has a strong head.

“He will be ready for England and so will Uruguay. We’re looking forward to it, and to our other group games against Italy and Costa Rica.

“For us Suarez is a really important player, of course. I don’t want to tell you any more than that because we don’t put any extra responsibility on him for the team’s success. It is a collective thing.

“The contribution he gives us is very important but we don’t need to ask for anything extra from him or from any of the other important players.

“We’re more focused on making sure we have the right feeling in the team. The World Cup is a team competition and great individual players like Suarez always need a team that can help them.”

Liverpool are fourth, four points adrift of leaders Chelsea and play Swansea tomorrow. Suarez has thanked the fans for sticking by him this season as he formed the most prolific strike duo in the league with Daniel Sturridge.

He said: “Everyone knows I had some difficult times last summer.

“I think this has been the best season of my career so far. It’s my job to score goals and create goals, and help the team.

“When you have really good ­team-mates and a manager who believes in you then it helps so much with your job.

(Photo: Sky)

“Stepping on to the pitch knowing I have the confidence of the supporters means everything to me as a player. They help me to give my best.

“I try to keep my cool with referees and defenders. I try not to get involved in arguments.

“It’s better to just concentrate on helping the team – that’s the most important thing. You need to keep a clear mind.

“When I was a kid I listened to the big players. Now I’m a big player in a big team other players come to speak to me. It’s a positive for me. I need to be an example.”